Phytochemical Analysis and Antidepressant Activity of Ixora coccinea Extracts in Experimental Models of Depression in Mice

Objectives: The present study aims to assess the antidepressant activity of Ixora coccinea extracts in mice and phytochemical analysis of the active extract by GC-MS.

Materials and methods: After oral administration of extracts, tail suspension test (TST), force swim tests (FST), and open field tests (OFT) were performed to assess the antidepressant activity. GC-MS analysis of methanol extract of I. coccinea was performed to ascertain the chemical constituents in the bioactive extract.

Results: The methanol extract of I. coccinea at dose of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, p.o. significantly reduced the total duration of immobility in the TST as well as FST (p<0.01). I. coccinea extracts showed no significant changes in locomotor activity in OFT.

Conclusion: The methanol extract of I. coccinea possesses antidepressant-like properties in mice with no significant effect on locomotor activity in OFT.

Keywords: Antidepressant activity; GC-MS; Ixora coccinea; forced swim test; open field test; tail suspension test.